Former Plymouth Argyle manager Peter Shilton has criticised the Football Association for allowing Wayne Rooney a one-off international return later this month.

The 33-year-old retired from international duty in 2017, but has been granted a special, one-off outing for the Three Lions for their clash with USA at Wembley on November 15.

The match has been called the ‘Wayne Rooney Foundation international’ with proceeds from the game going to his charity, while the FA have stated it was an opportunity to honour his record-breaking international career, which saw him make 119 caps and score a record 53 goals.

But Shilton, whose 125 caps still stands as an all-time record, says international caps should be earnt on merit and not handed out cheaply.

Peter Shilton, Leyton Orient goalkeeper (right), playing his 1,000th league game against Brighton, presented with a commemorative edition of the Guinness Book of Records. The 1st division game ended in a 2-0 win for Leyton Orient. Mandatorycredit: Gary M. Prior/Allsport

"I think there are better ways to do it," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "We could have a presentation on the pitch.

"I think if he was picked on merit, fair enough. But I don't think you can give caps out like gifts.

"You have got to be careful it doesn't set a precedent. It's great Wayne's foundation are going to get money from this game, but that is going to happen whether Wayne plays or not."

Shilton, who retired after the 1990 World Cup at the age of 41, continued playing domestically until he was 47 and made 1,005 appearances for 11 different clubs, including Argyle, where he was player manager from February 1992 to January 1995.

He actually retired during his time with the Pilgrims to focus on management, but started playing again at the age of 45, playing for Argyle and then moving on to Wimbledon, Bolton, Coventry and West Ham United.

Anxious to reach the 1,000 mark, he signed for Leyton Orient with the landmark figure coming against Brighton & Hove Albion, a match that was screened live by Sky Sports.

He played five more games for the O’s before announcing his retirement at the end of the 1996/97 season, becoming the fifth oldest player to have ever played in the Football League and 31 years after making his debut for Leicester City in May 1966.